Federal Election Called Today

It will be a 40-day race to the ballot box, with all party leaders crisscrossing the country in an effort to pitch themselves, their candidates, and their platforms to Canadians, before election day on Oct. 21.

The formalities formally launched a federal election campaign with races in all 338 ridings across Canada.

Here in the northwest, for the first time since 2004, the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding will have a new MP.

Six candidates have announced they're running to replace veteran New Democrat Nathan Cullen, who announced in March that he would not seek re-election.

In alphabetical order, the candidates are Taylor Bachrach of the NDP, Dave Birdi of the Liberal Party, Jody Craven of the Peoples Party, Claire Rattee of the Conservatives, Mike Sawyer of the Green Party and Rod Taylor of the Christian Heritage Party.